State officials say requests for federal disaster relief will be made in the coming weeks. During Thursday’s coronavirus briefing, Senior Advisor to Governor Beshear Rocky Adkins said two requests will be made, one related to the February ice storm and another regarding this week’s flooding.
Adkins noted it takes about a month to document damage and get the paperwork to Washington. “I just want people across Kentucky, especially people in eastern Kentucky to know you’re not forgotten. We’re here every step of the way to try to bring relief to this devastation that’s happened to you and your communities, to your homes, to your personal property,” said Adkins.
Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett reported 64 disaster declarations from counties and cities in flooded areas. He said 61 national guard troops are assisting in eight counties.
Governor Beshear said the trillions of federal dollars allocated to address coronavirus issues in the country won’t affect how much Kentucky could receive in flood relief. The governor noted his office is pushing the presidential administration to include individual assistance in a disaster declaration. Dossett said federal assistance for individuals tops out at $35,500. “They do not write that amount to a homeowner. It is based on the impact obviously, to the home, what was damaged. That includes a slightly different scale for mobile homes and then for conventional homes. But, that’s the total amount,” explained Dossett.
Dossett noted officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are expected to be on the ground in Kentucky next Monday. He added it typically takes about 30 days to document damage and get that information to the president’s desk and another month before a decision is rendered by federal officials.
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